World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

キンバリー・ブルベーカー・ブラッドリー

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1967-06-24 （Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Bristol, Tennessee, U.S. (residence)

Career

Occupations
Author, Children's and Young Adult Author
Active Years
1998-
Influenced By
Patricia MacLachlan

Education

Smith College
Chemistry
Degree: BA
Year of Graduation: 1989
Country: United States
Earned a BA in chemistry. An Introduction to Children's Literature course inspired her interest in writing for children.

Awards

Newbery Honor
2016
Work: The War That Saved My Life
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: Newbery Honor
Josette Frank Award
2016
Work: The War That Saved My Life
Organization: Bank Street Children's Book Committee
Result: Winner
Schneider Family Book Award
2016
Work: The War That Saved My Life
Organization: American Library Association (ALSC/ALA)
Result: Winner
The New York Times Bestseller (No. 1)
2016
Work: The War That Saved My Life
Organization: The New York Times
Result: No.1 Bestseller
Publisher's Weekly "Flying Start"
1998
Work: Ruthie's Gift
Organization: Publisher's Weekly
Result: Winner
Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
2011
Work: Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children
Organization: Kirkus Reviews
Result: Best Children's Books (selection)
Bank Street Children's Book Committee - Outstanding Merit
2012
Work: Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children
Organization: Bank Street Children's Book Committee
Result: Outstanding Merit
ALA Notable Children's Book
2012
Work: Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: Notable
NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books
2012
Work: Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children
Organization: National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Result: Notable
Bank Street Children's Book Committee - Outstanding Merit
2018
Work: The War I Finally Won
Organization: Bank Street Children's Book Committee
Result: Outstanding Merit
Kirkus Prize (Finalist)
2020
Work: Fighting Words
Organization: Kirkus Reviews
Result: Finalist
Newbery Honor
2021
Work: Fighting Words
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: Newbery Honor
Bank Street Children's Book Committee - Outstanding Merit
2021
Work: Fighting Words
Organization: Bank Street Children's Book Committee
Result: Outstanding Merit

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ruthie's Gift

1998 Children's literature

Set in a small Indiana farming community at the start of World War I, it follows 8-year-old Ruthie as she grows, makes friends, and faces illness and loss.

Coming of ageFamilyLoss

Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children

2011 Children's / Young Adult historical fiction

Told by three young boys—two of whom are Jefferson's children by Sally Hemings—the novel explores slavery, identity, and family in early America.

SlaveryRace and identityFamily

The War That Saved My Life

2015 Children's historical fiction

Set during World War II, 10-year-old Ada, who has a clubfoot and an abusive mother, escapes London with her brother Jamie and learns self-worth, friendship, and healing while evacuated to the countryside.

War and everyday lifeTrauma and recoverySelf-worth

The War I Finally Won

2017 Children's historical fiction

A sequel to The War That Saved My Life, continuing Ada and Jamie's story as they adapt to country life and face new challenges during WWII.

GrowthFamilyRecovery

Fighting Words

2020 Children's / Young Adult fiction

Centers on Della, a 10-year-old girl affected by abuse in her family, and explores trauma, healing, and the bond between sisters in an age-appropriate but honest way.

TraumaFamilyHealing

Bibliography

  • Ruthie's Gift (1998)
  • One-of-a-Kind Mallie (1999)
  • Weaver's Daughter (2000)
  • Halfway to the Sky (2002)
  • Favorite Things (2003)
  • The President's Daughter (2004)
  • For Freedom: The Story of A French Spy (2005)
  • Ballerino Nate (2006)
  • The Perfect Pony (2007)
  • Leap of Faith (2007)
  • The Lacemaker and the Princess (2007)
  • Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children (2011)
  • The War That Saved My Life (2015)
  • The War I Finally Won (2017)
  • Fighting Words (2020)
  • She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin (2022) (with Chelsea Clinton)
  • The Night War (2024)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic, empathetic children's proseWeaves historical context into intimate, character-driven narratives
Recurring Motifs
War and its impact on everyday lifeDomestic abuse and recoveryHorses and equestrian elements

Legacy

Highly regarded in children's and young adult literature, Bradley has won multiple honors—most notably for The War That Saved My Life—and is praised for emotionally resonant stories that appeal to readers and critics alike.

Academic Societies

  • Bank Street Children's Book Committee (recognized/awarded)

Quotes

  • “The rare novel that can take something as massive as a world war and distill it to its human essence.”
    Source: Review / Penguin Random House blurb (2015)

Trivia

  • Worked as a research chemist before focusing on writing.
  • Started writing as a freelance equestrian magazine contributor; knowledge of horses informs some books.
  • Earned a BA in Chemistry from Smith College (1989).
  • Co-authored She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin with Chelsea Clinton.
  • Resides in Bristol, Tennessee (citation needed in source).
  • Has published roughly 17 books as of 2024.